Free community market returns to area

September 2, 2013

SHEPHERDSTOWN - Lindsey Hammond wasn't the only one who was happy about the Really Really Free Market reopening Sunday morning, when dozens of people once again took advantage of being able to donate - or pick up - items at its new downtown Shepherdstown location.

After dropping off some unwanted clothing, shoes, a hula hoop and even some pepper spray, Hammond had returned home temporarily but was planning to revisit the market in hopes of finding something for herself.

"I do love the Really Really Free Market because it is so quintessentially Shepherdstown, because we're all about community and helping one another. In fact, I was going to put up some tables in my yard if we didn't get it back," she said.

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Journal photo by Jenni VincentLots of folks took advantage of a warm, sunny Sunday to visit the newly revived Really Really Free Market in Shepherdstown, which had been shut down since earlier this year when it could no longer be held on university property. Donated items — ranging from stuffed animals to books — were up for grabs at no cost.

Its rebirth was made possible by Shepherdstown Town Council members, who agreed that organizers could move the market to a block of King Street between Old Queen Alley and German Street, according to Robby Glenn, a local resident and student who helped found the event along with some friends.

An estimated 100 people had been at the event by lunchtime, he said, adding that the afternoon would also draw additional visitors. Tables were continually refilled with items that included kitchenwares, artificial flowers, glassware, videos and even stuffed animals. Folks of all ages - including families with young children and people with their dogs - casually walked around the blocked-off street as they examined the donated items.

He said the market used to be held on the lawn and wall in front of McMurran Hall until earlier this year, when Shepherd University officials and hall trustees objected to the location as an unacceptable use of school property.

Watching as visitors browsed everything from books to seasonal decorations, Glenn said town officials had agreed to hold Sunday's event as a trial and then decide if it will continue to be held on a monthly basis.

"This was pretty much a trial run, but it's gone very well and we definitely hope to get the town's permission to do more. But we do have to go back and ask," Glenn said.

Future markets will be held on the last Sunday of each month, with the next one tentatively set for Sept. 28, he said.

"All in all, I actually think I like this location because we have more space, can be more organized and it's like a continuation of the farmer's market just across the street," Glenn said.

Market volunteer Maria Allen, who is also a downtown business owner, was happy to discover an old pair of roller skates up for grabs.

"You can see they are old, because it really is a pair of shoes with wheels attached," Allen said, pausing for a moment before beginning to once again place other donated items on various tables.

"Do I really need them? Probably not, but there are here and it's one of those rare times when you can try something without having to make a purchase. And if it's something that is going to go to waste otherwise, why not give it a second life?" Allen said.